Summary: Not being able to access certain web sites isn't that uncommon. Unfortunately there are many possible reasons.
Why can I not access certain web sites?
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There are so many possible reasons, and it's hard to say with only that to go on. But I can throw out some possibilities.
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If "certain sites" are sites that others might find objectionable, it's possible that there's a content filter in place; either on your computer or on some equipment between it and the internet. Libraries often use this type of technology to prevent minors from accessing pornographic web sites.
If "certain sites" are anti-virus manufacturers, then there's a good chance you have a virus yourself. Several are known to take steps to prevent you from downloading anti-virus software. (You'll have to use another computer to do that.)
If "certain sites" are all related - say all of the Yahoo sites are inaccessible for some reason, then it's possible that there's a transient problem at the remote end. Try again later.
If "certain sites" means that when you go to one site, you land on some other site you didn't want, then you probably have spyware on your machine. Get a scanner and scan.
Those are the common issues. There are certainly technical issues that can cause this type of thing, but since you can access some sites and not others, it's less likely to be a problem on your machine.
Update: Thanks to reader comments, it turns out that some folks issues can be resolved by adjusting the "MTU" setting on their internet connection. This article walks you through that process: I can't access some websites ... why?.
Update #2: another common reason for not being able to visit certain websites is detailed here: Why did my home network stop working?
Related:
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Ask Leo! - I can't access some websites ... why?
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Ask Leo! - Why did my home network stop working?
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Ask Leo! - How can I keep my kids safe from internet garbage?
Article C2125 - July 16, 2004
I don't know if this will help but I had taken my computer to be repaired for a virus. I had McAfee Site Advisor on it. When I got my computer home, it wasn't there anymore. I called the repair man but he denied removing it but acknowledged that he didn't necessarily repair the computer himself but gave it to someone else who works for him. I'm now unable to get on the Site Advisor website. I think they deliberately removed Site Advisor and blocked me from downloading it again so I could increase my chances of accidentally selecting a bad site so I could end up bringing my computer back to them. One even reluctantly admitted to be verbally that the less protection their customers have, the more business they would likely get.
Posted by: LH at June 15, 2009 7:22 AMi cannot access my website australian souvenirs website and after i format my computer and reinstall zonealarm i cannot access my website. i tried on another computer it it seems fine. help please to fix the zonealarm settings or tell me what the problem is. thanks
Posted by: Ray at August 8, 2009 6:19 AMI just got a new computer9 well used but new to me from a computer shop and I can not send e-mail cards like love cards or Birthday cards like I could on my old one why? any ideas? Sites like riversongs I love the cards they have please help me to change setting if that is what it is
thanks
Posted by: kandis at November 10, 2009 11:53 PMKandis
my site www.housedesignwebsite.com shows for a while on my computer then it goes down . other locations can acces the site. What could be the problem?
Posted by: frank at November 15, 2009 8:39 PMFor some reason everytime i try to get onto topshop.co.uk the site is just a blank white page yet it works if I access it from the same laptop but through my university desktop anywhere system. This problem doesn't happen to any other sites and I'm lost at how to fix it
Posted by: Alison at December 4, 2009 7:27 AM